Cabinet forms task force to bring back laundered money
The cabinet decisions were announced by Fawad Chaudhry in a press briefing.
ISLAMABAD (Dumya News) – The federal cabinet on Wednesday has formed a task force to repatriate the ‘huge’ amount of funds transferred abroad through the illegal practice of money laundering.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that a unit office has been established at PM office pertaining to the matter.
He maintained that another task force headed by Shafqat Mehmood has been established for uniform education system in schools and madrassas while a ban will be placed on physical punishment.
"A task force has been constituted on education led by Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood," he said and added it will include prominent educationaists, represenatives of Madaris and skill development. First objective is to bring 250 million out of school children to education network.
A uniform school education and certification system would be enforced throughout the country. It has been decided to consult with provinces regarding raising of school fee by the private schools. In addition, it has been decided that funds will be spent on establishing centers for street children and women.
Fawad Chaudhry asserted that the federal government will monitor the matters of education, health, water and cleanliness.
The prime minister has also ordered an inquiry into Rs25 billion loss due to immediate launch of Tarbela project.
The minister told that discretionary funds worth Rs80 billion will be returned.
Speaking on the Pakistani prisoners languishing in foreign jails, Fawad said that the Prime Minister has ordered formulating the data of 10,000 inmates in 15 days.
"At least 3000 Pakistanis who have been awarded death sentences are in Iranian jails. We have communicated the issue with the foreign minister of the country," he revealed.
The minister said that Rs80 billion have been saved and returned back to Finance Ministry due to the stopping of discretionary funds by the prime minister, adding that the schemes like Prime Minister s Laptop Scheme have been abolished and the money returned to the Finance Ministry.
The cabinet gave instructions to provide easy access in all buildings for disabled people, both at federal and provincial levels.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been directed to improve its attitude with overseas Pakistanis. A strict notice will be taken if complaints are received against the attitude of staff deputed at foreign missions and embassies worldwide.
The cabinet has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collect data of over 10,000 Pakistanis incarcerated in various countries. Of these, 3,000 are in Iran mostly on drug related offences. As Iran has amended its anti-drug law in recent days, it is hoped a large number of Pakistanis will get relief.
On the occasion, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that a whistle blower law is being enforced immediately through ordinance envisaging reward worth 20% for those who would help recover such money, adding that the names of the informers would be kept confidential.
The Special Assistant said that another ordinance on mutual legal assistance is being issued which would help remove bottlenecks in the way of seeking information from foreign countries on illegal wealth.
He said the PM Imran Khan has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to desaptch a high powered delegation to Switzerland to expedite ratification of the treaty on exchange of information on bank accounts. He said the treaty was signed in 2013 but was not ratified.
Shahzad Akbar said the government would also hire firms that would detect and help recover illegal money and in the ccase of recovery the firm would get an agreed share of the recovered amount.
He said the premier would get reports on implementation of these measures on fortnightly basis.
